8 New England Campgrounds for Falling in Love with Fall
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Are you excited about the prospect of fall camping in New England?
The weather may be chilly, but if you plan ahead, you can pitch your tent among the colorful fall foliage without pesky mosquitoes and crowded campsites. Mother Nature is throwing a pre-winter party and we’re all invited.
Now is the perfect time to book your fall camping trip in New England, before frigid, damp nights send you running for the nearest woodstove.
Even if you live for warm, starry nights, fireflies, and smoky campfires, you can revel in this short, sweet season. There’s no better place to go camping in the fall than in New England.
The following campgrounds provide some of the best camping in New England. They are so special that they attract throngs of people all summer long.
Come August or September, when the kids go back to school, you’ll find blissfully quiet campsites, cool nights that beg for a campfire, and autumn leaves that crunch underfoot as you hike miles of secluded trails.
Don’t wait to reserve a spot at one of these lovely New England campgrounds.
A late-season stay will help fuel your outdoor dreams until the last vestiges of snow have melted into another spring.
These are our favorite spots for fall camping in New England: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
Camp in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom at Brighton State Park
Brighton State Park is one of Vermont’s most secluded and remote state parks and a fabulous fall camping destination.
Located near Island Pond in the spectacular Northeast Kingdom, it’s a magical escape from the stresses of the modern world.
Fall camping is special at Brighton State Park. Not only are the colors beyond gorgeous, but you can rent a camping cabin, move in for the weekend, and disappear from reality.
Hike the trails that hug the shores of Spectacle Pond before delving deep into the dark and mysterious boreal forest. Rent a kayak and tool around the silent glacial pond before heading back to camp for an autumn fire. Brighton State Park is open for fall camping until Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Our favorite thing about Brighton State Park: It’s really quiet, especially during Vermont’s fall foliage season when many other areas are packed with tourists. This is one of our favorite spots to see fall color in late September into early October.
Something to consider: Fall camping is cold up here in the Northeast Kingdom. Consider renting a camping cabin and packing your warm winter layers.
Read Next: Why You’ll Love Cabin Camping at Vermont State Parks
Vermont’s Highest Public Campground: Woodford State Park
Another special park with incredible scenery and very few people in the fall, Woodford State Park is one of Vermont’s most dog-friendly parks.
Treat your canine companion to a hike around the lake, or rent a canoe and explore the quiet coves and wetlands. If the fickle fall weather doesn’t cooperate, you can rent one of four cozy cabins or brave the elements at one of the sweet waterfront campsites.
Woodford State Park is quiet during the week and crowded on the weekends, even in October. The park is just 20 minutes from downtown Bennington, which is a lovely historic town with lots to see and do in the fall.
Woodford State Park is open for camping until Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Our favorite thing about Woodford State Park: We saw a moose!!!
Something to consider: The trails can be muddy. Be sure to bring sturdy footwear.
Waterfront Camping in Rhode Island: Burlingame State Park
Burlingame State Park has a massive campground with more than 700 campsites, but in October, you’d never know it.
This sprawling park covers 3,100 acres surrounding Watchaug Pond in Charlestown, Rhode Island. Feeling brave? It’s not too late to get in that last swim of the season. You can also rent canoes and kayaks for a small fee.
Right next door to Burlingame State Park, you’ll find the Kimball Wildlife Refuge, a lovely little preserve with a plethora of songbirds and nice hiking opportunities. The park is just a few miles from the Atlantic Coast, making it a great base camp for exploring the off-season beaches.
Burlingame State Park is open until mid-October.
What we love about Burlingame State Park: There’s an arcade and a playground, and the camp store is open late if you run out of marshmallows.
Something to consider: We love Burlingame for fall camping in New England, but if you go in the summer, it’s really busy and can also be quite loud. This is a rustic campground with no RV hook-ups.
Fall Camping in the White Mountains: Franconia Notch State Park
Mountain vistas. Crystal lakes, thundering waterfalls.
Franconia Notch State Park is one of the most thrilling places to experience fall foliage in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
It’s also one of the most crowded, so be sure to plan your trip far in advance. Highlights of Franconia Notch include the aerial tramway at Cannon Mountain, the famous Flume Gorge with its multitudes of waterfalls, and hiking trails for every type of hiker and outdoor enthusiast.
Franconia Notch State Park is located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest and is very close to the 34.5-mile Kancamagus Highway. Be sure to drive this route! Start your drive early in the morning to miss most of the tourist traffic.
There are two campgrounds in Franconia Notch State Park – Lafayette Place has 97 wooded campsites with no hook-ups (available from May to mid-October), and Cannon Mountain RV Park has seven year-round sites with hook-ups, with no water or sewer available after mid-October.
What we love about Franconia Notch State Park: Photographing the reflections on Echo Lake.
Something to consider: In 2021, New Hampshire State Parks implemented a reservation system, not just for campgrounds, but for other popular tourist attractions like Flume Gorge. This means you will have to plan carefully to make the most of your visit.
Best Fall Camping in the Merrimack Valley, NH: Pawtuckaway State Park
Pawtuckaway State Park in Nottingham, New Hampshire, encompasses a beautiful lake surrounded by colorful hardwoods and serious hiking trails through woods, up mountains, and across meadows.
There are 192 campsites and, better yet, cabins with electricity. Pawtuckaway State Park is open through early November and is less than an hour from the coast.
While most people visit during the summer for fun on the beach and in the water, you will love hiking and camping here in the fall. The mosquitoes have disappeared, and all you can hear are the leaves crunching dramatically under your boots.
What we love about Pawtuckaway State Park: The view from the fire tower is pretty amazing.
Something to consider: Quiet hours are strictly enforced, so if you’re looking for a party, you might want to look elsewhere.
Awesome Camping in the Berkshires of Massachusetts: Savoy Mountain State Forest
Hiking is the big draw at Savoy Mountain State Forest in the Berkshires of Massachusetts.
There are trails everywhere – to waterfalls, up mountains, and around bogs, ponds, and lakes. You can hike 50 miles of trails from the campground, which is in the center of the expansive forest. There are several ponds and lakes for kayak or canoe exploring, but you’ll have to bring your own boat. Rentals are not available.
The campsites are sunny and secluded, thanks to well-maintained but wild hedges that circle around the sites. Savoy Mountain State Forest cabins are open year-round, but the rest of the campground closes on Columbus Day.
What we love about Savoy Mountain State Forest: The hike to Tannery Brook Falls is beautiful in the fall, especially if there’s been lots of rain.
Something to consider: If you’re not a resident of Massachusetts, you will have a hefty fee to camp in any Massachusetts State Park. Also, alcohol is not permitted in Massachusetts State Parks.
Read Next: Easy Hikes in the Berkshires of Massachusetts
Fabulous Fall Camping on the Coast of Maine: Camden Hills State Park
For the best of the mountains and the coast, you can’t beat Camden Hills State Park.
The highlight of the park is the spectacular Mount Battie. An easy climb will take you to the top in no time, and you’ll be lavishly rewarded with views of Camden Village and the expansive harbor beyond.
And speaking of Camden Village, it’s just about the most charming fishing village you’ll ever lay eyes on. Explore boutique shopping, visit a working harbor, and eat some pretty amazing seafood – all on the same block.
The village is just a few miles from the park, so you can have the best of both worlds — total seclusion or seaside tourism.
Something to Consider: Camden Hills State Park is open year-round!
What we love about Camden Hills State Park: The hiking is seriously awesome, and the campground has free Wi-Fi if you need it.
Mountain Camping at Daicey Pond Campground, Baxter State Park, Maine
A year-round campground of camping cabins in one of Maine’s most iconic but secluded parks, Daicey Pond Campground, is open year-round for an incomparable wilderness experience.
Hike to incredible vistas, fish in mountains, streams, and boggy ponds, and catch your zzzs in a cozy cabin, complete with a wood stove for heat and propane lights.
The Appalachian Trail runs through the campground on its way to the northern terminus on Mount Katahdin, and there are 200 miles of wilderness trails throughout the park.
This is true wilderness camping, so don’t be surprised to come upon deer, moose, bears, and lots of smaller critters. There are ten cabins available at Daicey Pond.
What we love about Daicey Pond Campground: Cabin #9!!
Something to consider: There is no potable water, so be sure to bring a filter to drink from the pond. Oh, and dogs aren’t allowed here.
Fall is the most underrated yet beautiful time for camping in New England.
There are no crowds to mar your quest for Thoreau-inspired adventures, and the spectacular New England fall foliage will tide you over until wildflower season at least.
For fall camping tips, read The Complete and Most Awesome Guide to Fall Camping.
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